25th and 26th March


Breezy and overcast on the 25th with limited new arrivals although 65 Linnets and 20 Snow Buntings were new high counts for the spring while other landbirds included 5 Redwings and 2 Woodpigeons still at Holland.   Some decent wader totals for the day included 290 Golden Plover, 211 Oystercatchers, 49 Sanderling and 36 Bar-tailed Godwits along with a single Black-tailed Godwit.  Three Whooper Swans were new at the north end while a Merlin was busy chasing Skylarks at the south.

Snow Bunting, photo Simon Davies


                The weather changed for the 26th with early morning mist and murk lingering due to very light winds; the tentative opening of a handful of nets at Holland first thing almost immediately was rewarded with the capture of 2 awesome Long-eared Owls while a Woodcock was also flushed out of the garden.

                There were more landbird arrivals through the day including the first Goldcrest and Sparrowhawk of the spring along with 2 new Stonechats, a Chaffinch, 34 Snow Buntings, 63 Meadow Pipits and 34 Pied Wagtails.

                Calm seas also allowed counts of 21 Great-northern Divers and 8 Red-throated Divers while the 2 Pink-footed Geese were still with 515 Greylag Geese.   Two other birds to mention comprised the surprise reappearance of the Northern Harrier (well, a slight raising of the eyebrows perhaps!), he must disappear off island for spells but who knows where (?!) and an interesting duck on the sea off Brides which was presumably a drake Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid.

Long-eared Owl, photo Simon Davies
Tysties were back on shore in numbers on the 25th, photo Simon Davies

Presumed Eurasian Wigeon x American Wigeon hybrid, photo Simon Davies

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